Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/07/leamer_on_outso.html

An interesting way of looking at technologies. Some technology is like a forklift. It makes everyone more productive. The microphone technologies are more interesting. They let more talented people reach larger audiences/markets, although they reduce the number of jobs in the field.

For example, before the stereo, one could be a professional musician and play in a band at weddings. You could make a good living. Every town supported a goodly number of wedding bands. But then stereo equipment allowed DJs to exist. Now instead of Murph and the Murphtones doing all your wedding favorites, you can have David Bowie and handful of greats sing at your wedding.

So some technologies reduce people in that field but they have the benefit of bringing the best to us at low cost. David Bowie live would cost you. But you can have David Bowie for the price of a few dollars and technology. Microphone technologies reduce the number of people in the field, down to the most talented, but brings vast wealth to the most talented. And arguably the quality of your life improves when you can have David Bowie to listen to and not Murph and the Murphtones.

Of course a DJ is cheaper than a whole band. The money you save on the band you then spend on something else. While the sax player loses out, the flower guy gains and then hires more people.

Another example is Hollywood. Before you had live plays, operas. If you were in Italy, well, bonus. But if you were in Windsor, Ontario, you're not getting good opera. However, the movie camera pretty much destroyed live theater and other forms of live entertainment. However, everyone can enjoy Star Wars. Think how much richer your life is. Again, a handful of actors gain vast wealth. But instead of paying $60 to see the opera, you now pay $10 to see a movie.

[knee-highs]

Most boring post I ever read. Please find your camera.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[knee-highs]

[mindmetoo]

[Are they the lemmings]

I thought it was interesting. But I'm not so sure about...

[mindmetoo]

[dogshed]

I used to work for a warehousing software company. The forklift and other technologies in the warehousing industry have pretty much the same effect as the microphone. You use less people to do the same job. The only difference is the extent.